Caladium plant named ‘UF340’

ABSTRACT

A new  Caladium  plant named ‘UF340’ particularly distinguished by its large number of wide lance leaves having a large, bright, and pure white center surrounded by green margins, and demonstrated potential to produce attractive plants in outdoor landscapes, and produce attractive pot plants when tubers are forced in containers, is disclosed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FEDERAL RESEARCH SUPPORT

This invention was made with government support under FLA-BRA-04162 awarded by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA. The government has certain rights in this invention.

Genus and species: Caladium×hortulanum.

Variety denomination: ‘UF340’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Caladium×hortulanum plant named ‘UF340’. ‘UF340’ originated from a controlled pollination made in the spring of 2003 between ‘Florida Sweetheart’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,526) and ‘Florida Moonlight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,565). ‘Florida Sweetheart’, the pollen parent, is a progeny of the cross between ‘Candidum Junior’ (unpatented) and ‘Red Frill’ (unpatented). The ancestry of ‘Candidum Junior’ and ‘Red Frill’ is unknown, although ‘Candidum Junior’ was suspected to be a field mutation of ‘Candidum’ (unpatented). ‘Florida Moonlight’, the seed parent, is a progeny of the cross between ‘Aaron’ (unpatented) and ‘Candidum Junior’. ‘UF340’ was initially selected in 2003 as GCREC-3230. Asexual propagation of tubers and evaluation in field and pot studies in Wimauma, Fla. since 2004 have shown that the unique features of ‘UF340’ are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have not been applied for. ‘UF340’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Caladium [Caladium×hortulanum Birdsey, Araceae Juss.] is commonly used as a pot or landscape plant and is valued for its colorful leaves. Commercial caladium plants are grown from tubers. The commercial value of a caladium cultivar depends on its tuber yield, leaf color, performance in the landscape as a garden plant, and performance in containers as a pot plant.

The new and distinct variety of caladium is a white lanced-leaved caladium that possesses a novel combination of foliar characteristics. ‘UF340’ is distinct from other lance-leaved varieties in that it developed a large number of wide lance leaves with a large, bright, and pure white center surrounded by green margins. ‘UF340’ has improved performance in container forcing and landscape planting compared to other commercial white lance-leaved varieties. When forced in containers, ‘UF340’ sprouts 5-10 days earlier than other commercial white lance-leaved varieties.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new caladium plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows the plant's form and foliage. The new caladium has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Its phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment such as light intensity and temperature, without, however, any variance in genotype. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Caladium.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant appearance and habit including foliage from a side perspective view of a typical plant of the new Caladium grown in a container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘UF340’ with color terminology in accordance with British Color Council and The Royal Horticultural Society, Horticultural Colour Chart, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are obvious. Wherein dimensions, sizes, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations of averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The description herein is from 4 month-old specimens grown in Wimauma, Fla., in 2007. Plants used for describing color were grown in 20.3-cm containers in a 45% shaded greenhouse from four No. 1 (3.8 to 6.4 cm in diameter) tubers.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Caladium×hortulanum.         -   Common name.—Caladium. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘Florida Moonlight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             14,565) caladium.         -   Male parent.—‘Florida Sweetheart’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8.526)             caladium. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By tuber division.         -   Time to develop roots and sprout.—26 days (Spring — 15° C.             night to 29° C. day). 14 days (Summer — 21° C. night to             35° C. day).         -   Root description.—Dense, moderately thick roots (up to 2.5             mm at the basal end) with little branching and few lateral             roots. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant shape.—Mounding, symmetrical.         -   Plant height.—About 27 cm from top of soil to top of leaf             plane 4 months from planting tubers in ground beds in full             sun.         -   Plant width.—About 25-40 cm 4 months from planting tubers in             ground beds in full sun.         -   Leaf blade.—Saggittate-cordate, 15-21 cm long and 10-15 cm             wide, and slightly undalate with a white (RHS 155D)             penniform venation. Two lobes are up to one third of the             leaf length. The upper surface has a green (RHS 138A)             margin, up to 10 mm wide, bordering the entire leaf except             for the basal leaf valley formed by the two lobes where it             is greyed-purple (RHS 185B). The central and main veins are             white (RHS 155C). Interveinal areas are white (RHS 155B)             except for the areas near the margin, where irregular light             green (RHS 136C) mottling is present. A 1-2 mm greyed-purple             line (RHS 185B) is present on the basal leaf collar at the             petiole apex. The undersurface has a greyed-green (RHS 191A)             margin, up to 10 mm wide, and a white (RHS 155D) center and             light green (RHS 130D) central and main veins. Secondary             veins are light green (RHS 130D) and netted. The largest             leaf on plants grown in a 45% shaded greenhouse produced             from an intact No. 1 tuber in an 11.4-cm pot averaged 19 cm             long and 13 cm wide 8 weeks after planting. When grown from             2.54-cm tuber propagules in ground beds with full sun,             leaves measured approximately 4 months from planting             averaged 18 cm long and 13 cm wide.         -   Petiole.—Aspect: Mostly erect, curving outwardly with             development. Length: 19.5 -24.5 cm. Diameter (distal): 4 mm.             Diameter (proximal): 5.5 mm. Strength: Medium, soft. Color             (distal): White (RHS 155D) to yellow-green (RHS 145B). Color             (proximal): Black (RHS 202A) with streaks and blotches of             orange-white (RHS 159B). Wing length: 3-5 cm. Wing diameter:             4-5.5 mm. Wing color: Black (RHS 202A) with blotches of             orange-white (RHS 159C).         -   Tuber.—Jumbo-sized (6.4 to 8.9 cm in diameter) tubers are             multi-segmented, bearing 5 to 9 dominant buds. Tuber             surfaces are brown (RHS 200C) with the cortical area             yellow-orange (RHS 10C).         -   Inflorescence.—The inflorescences of ‘UF340’ have been             observed only on shadehouse-grown plants. Inflorescence             arrangement: Upright hooded spathes surrounding a columnar             spadix borne on a tall upright scape. Fragrance: None             detected. Natural flowering season/longevity: Plants of             ‘UF340’ typically flower during the spring or early summer             in central Florida. Flowers develop about seven weeks after             growth commences. Inflorescences last about three days             before fading; inflorescences persistent. Spathe: Length:             9 cm. Width, distal: 1.5 cm. Width, proximal: 1 cm. Shape:             Ovate to somewhat obovate. Apex: Acute to acuminate. Base:             Tapering. Margin: Entire; proximal, notched. Texture (upper             and lower surfaces): Smooth, glabrous. Spadix: Spadix with             sessile, simple female and male flowers separated into two             zones. Female flowers arranged on the lower one-third of the             spadix; male flowers arranged on the upper two-thirds of the             spadix. Sterile flowers develop between female and male             flower zones. Near this area, the spathe constricts             surrounding the female flowers. Length (entire spadex):             4.5 cm. Length (male flower zone): 2.5 cm. Length (sterile             flower zone): 1 cm. Length (female flower zone): 1 cm.             Diameter (male flower zone): 4.5 mm. Diameter (sterile             flower zone): 2.5 mm. Diameter (female flower zone): 4.5 mm.             Shape: Spindle-shaped to columnar. Apex: Obtuse. Base:             Obtuse. Aspect: Upright. Color (mature, male zone):             yellow-white (RHS 158B). Color (mature, sterile zone):             yellow-white (RHS 158B). Color (mature, female zone): yellow             (RHS 11C). Male flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 200.             Shape: Obovate. Height: 2.5 mm. Diameter: 2 mm. Anther             color: RHS 157D. Amount of pollen: Moderate. Female flowers:             Quantity per spadix: About 60. Shape: Obovate. Height: 3 mm.             Diameter: 2 mm. Stigma color: RHS 9C. Ovary color: RHS 155D.             Scape: Length: 11 cm. Strength: Sturdy, flexible. Aspect:             Erect. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Seed and Fruit: No fruit             or seed without hand pollination.

COMPARISON WITH KNOWN CULTIVARS

Plants of ‘UF340’ differ from plants of the female parent, ‘Florida Moonlight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,565), in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘UF340’ are shorter than plants of the female         parent;     -   2. Plants of ‘UF340’ differ from the female parent in leaf shape         as plants of the female parent have fancy (or heart) shaped         leaves;     -   3. Leaves of ‘UF340’ are much smaller than leaves of the female         parent.

Plants of ‘UF340’ differ from plants of the male parent, ‘Florida Sweetheart’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,526) in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘UF340’ and ‘Florida Sweetheart’ differ in leaf         coloration, as leaves of ‘Florida Sweetheart’ have light pink         color in the center and pink veins.

Additionally, comparisons were made with the commercial varieties ‘Florida White Ruffles’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,402) and ‘White Wing’ (unpatented). Comparisons were made in Wimauma, Fla. in 2006 and 2007.

Field plots were organized in a randomized complete block design consisting of three replications, and each plot contained 30 propagules. Tubers were dug in Dec. 2006 and Jan. 2008, respectively. Dried tubers were graded by maximum diameter; No. 2 (2.5 to 3.8 cm), No. 1 (3.8 to 6.4 cm), Jumbo (6.4 to 8.9 cm), Mammoth (8.9 to 11.4 cm), and Super Mammoth (>11.4 cm). The production index, an indicator of economic value of the harvested tubers, was calculated as: N (No. 2) + 2N (No. 1) + 4N (Jumbo) + 6N (Mammoth) + 8N (Super Mammoth); where N=number of tubers in each grade. The average tuber weight of ‘UF340’ was lower than that of ‘White Wing’ and ‘Florida White Ruffles’ in 2006 (Table 1), but in 2007, the average tuber weight of ‘UF340’ was approximately 3.5x that of ‘White Wing’ and ‘Florida White Ruffles’. The production index of ‘UF340’ was similar to that of ‘Florida White Ruffles’ and ‘White Wing’ in 2006, and in 2007, ‘UF340’ was approximately 2.7x greater than that of ‘White Wing’ and ‘Florida White Ruffles’. In both 2006 and 2007, ‘UF340’ consistently produced the greatest number of marketable tubers, significantly higher than both ‘White Wing’ and ‘Florida White Ruffles’. The majority of the tubers produced by ‘UF340’ were in the No. 1, No. 2 and Jumbo categories, with few in the mammoth size category.

Landscape performance of the varieties grown under full-sun conditions was evaluated in 2006 and 2007 on the same plots used for evaluating tuber production. The overall plant performance was rated multiple times (July, August, and September) in each growing season, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very poor (few leaves and lack of vigor), and 5 being excellent (full plants, numerous leaves, and bright color display). Similarly, leaf sun burn tolerance was also evaluated multiple times in each growing season on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very susceptible to sun burns and showing numerous sun-damaged areas or holes on leaves and 5 being resistant to sun bums and not showing any sun-damaged areas. At approximately 4 months after planting, plant height, number of leaves, and foliar characteristics were measured. ‘UF340’ was 27 cm tall, which was similar to ‘White Wing’ (24 cm), but was taller than ‘Florida White Ruffles’ (18 cm), a very prostrate variety (Table 2). ‘UF340’ produced the greatest number (33) of leaves, exceeding both ‘Florida White Ruffles’ (27) and ‘White Wing’ (20). Leaves of ‘UF340’ were similar to those of ‘White Wing’ in length, but longer than those of ‘Florida White Ruffles’, and wider than both varieties. The performance ratings of ‘UF340’were 3.9 to 4.4, which was higher than that of ‘Florida White Ruffles’ and ‘White Wing’.

The varieties' suitability for container forcing was evaluated by forcing tubers in 11.4-cm containers. No. 1 tubers were planted either intact or de-eyed in a peat/vermiculite mix on Mar. 26, 2007. The study was conducted in a greenhouse with 45% light exclusion during the summer in Wimauma, Fla. Average daily temperatures ranged from a low of 16° C. night to 29° C. day during the experiment. Potted plants were arranged on metal benches in the greenhouse in a randomized complete block design with 10 replications. Plant height, number of leaves, and foliar characteristics were recorded 8 to 10 weeks after planting. ‘UF340’ sprouted 26 (intact) to 28 (de-eyed) days after planting, significantly earlier (5 to 10 days) than both ‘White Wing’ and ‘Florida White Ruffles’, regardless of tuber treatments (Table 3). ‘UF340’ was similar to ‘Florida White Ruffles’ and ‘White Wing’ in height whether tubers were intact or de-eyed. ‘UF340’ produced more leaves, especially when tubers were de-eyed, than ‘Florida White Ruffles’ and ‘White Wing’. ‘UF340’ produced high quality plants in small pots (11.4 cm in diameter) even without de-eyeing (Table 3). When tubers were de-eyed, ‘UF340’ yielded pot plants of even higher quality with a plant quality ratings greater than those of ‘White Wing’ and ‘Florida White Ruffles’.

TABLE 1 Tuber weight, production index, number, and tuber grade distribution of ‘UF340’ and two commercial cultivars harvested in 2006 and 2007. Values presented are means of three replications with 30 propagules planted in a plot per year. Tuber Tuber distribution^(x) (%) Pro- Market- Super Weight duction able mam- Mam- Jum- No. No. Varieties (kg) index^(y) (no.) moth moth bo 1 2 Year 2006 UF340 3.8 157 70 0 5 18 50 27 Florida 4.4 163 55 1 17  26 30 27 White Ruffles White Wing 5.7 164 50 3 13  38 33 13 Year 2007 UF340 3.5 155 66 2 6 21 28 43 Florida 1.0  43 30 0 1  4 27 68 White Ruffles White Wing 0.9  41 29 0 0  4 33 63 ^(x)Tubers graded by maximum diameter; No. 2 (2.5 to 3.8 cm), No. 1 (3.8 to 6.4 cm), Jumbo (6.4 to 8.9 cm), Mammoth (8.9 to 11.4 cm), and Super Mammoth (>11.4 cm). ^(y)The production index is an indicator of economic value of the crop harvested and is calculated as: N (No. 2) + 2N (No. 1) + 4N(Jumbo) + 6N (Mammoth) + 8N (Super Mammoth), where N = number of tubers in each grade.

TABLE 2 Plant characteristics, performance, and sun tolerance ratings of ‘UF340’ and two commercial cultivars grown from planting 2.54-cm caladium tuber propagules in ground beds in full sun (2006 and 2007). Values presented for plant height, leaf number, length and width are means of three replications with three plants measured per plot per year, while performance and sun burn tolerance ratings are means of three replications based on whole plot evaluation. Plant Leaves^(z) Leaf length^(z) Leaf width^(z) Varieties ht^(z) (cm) (no.) (cm) (cm) UF340 27 33 18 13 Florida White 18 27 16 8 Ruffles White Wing 24 20 18 10 Performance Sun tolerance Var- ratings^(y) rating^(x) ieties July August September July August September UF340 4.2 3.9 4.4 4.5 4.0 3.7 Florida 2.0 2.9 3.5 4.5 4.1 4.2 White Ruffles White 2.0 2.3 2.9 4.2 4.1 4.3 Wing ^(z)Data were taken over two growing seasons (2006 and 2007), approximately 4 months (August 2006 and 2007) after tubers were planted in April each year. ^(y)Plants were rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very poor, 3 fair and acceptable, and 5 being excellent in plant vigor, fullness, and color display, in July, August, and September in 2006 and 2007, respectively. ^(x)Plants' sun burn tolerance was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very poor, 3 fair and acceptable, and 5 being excellent without showing any signs of leaf burns or resulted holes on leaf surfaces, taken in July, August, and September in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

TABLE 3 Plant performance for caladium cultivars grown from No. 1 tubers in 11.4-cm containers in a 45% shaded glasshouse, 2007, Wimauma, Fla. Values represent the means of 10 plants produced from intact or de-eyed No. 1 (>3.8 and <6.4 cm in diameter) tubers planted individually per container. Data was taken 8 weeks after planting. Days to Plant height sprout^(z) (cm) Leaves (no.) Varieties Intact De-eye Intact De-eye Intact De-eye UF340 26 28 19 19 13 20 Florida 36 36 18 17 11 13 White Ruffles White 31 35 19 18 8 11 Wing Leaf Leaf Quality length (cm) width (cm) rating Varieties Intact De-eye Intact De-eye Intact De-eye UF340 19 19 13 13 4.0 4.6 Florida 20 20 11 11 3.3 3.5 White Ruffles White 19 18 12 9 3.2 4.0 Wing ^(z)Number of days from planting to the first unfurled leaf. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant as shown and described herein. 